Apikri actively participated in a regional online meeting with 23 members of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Asia on Wednesday, 15 October 2025. The virtual session focused on emerging market issues faced by WFTO suppliers across Asia, especially in adapting to shifting global demand and strengthening fair trade values in the supply chain. The meeting served as an important platform for members to share concerns, experiences, and strategies to remain competitive in the international market.

The discussion was moderated by Patcharaporn (Fah) Taechalertpaisarn, Program Coordinator of WFTO Asia, alongside Asia Representative to WFTO Global, Sunil Chitrakar, and WFTO President, Tim Straight. They emphasized the importance of collaboration among Asian producers to navigate market fluctuations, improve product innovation, and respond to changing consumer behavior. Special attention was given to sustainability trends and ethical production practices that are increasingly required by global buyers.

Participants, including Apikri, contributed valuable insights on fair pricing, export challenges, and the need for stronger digital marketing initiatives. The session also highlighted the urgency for WFTO suppliers to enhance storytelling, certification visibility, and partnership-building to maintain trust with fair trade consumers worldwide. Members agreed that collective action and knowledge-sharing were critical to overcoming individual market obstacles.

During the meeting, WFTO Asia announced plans to hold a Virtual Summit Conference and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in mid-November 2025. These upcoming events are expected to address long-term strategic goals, governance updates, and capacity-building programs tailored for member organizations. Apikri expressed its commitment to actively engage in these forums to reinforce its role within the global fair trade movement.

By joining this preparatory meeting, Apikri reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening market resilience while upholding fair trade principles. The organization views such international exchanges as essential steps toward enhancing member empowerment, expanding export opportunities, and promoting ethical craftsmanship from Indonesia to the world. Apikri is now preparing to contribute more substantially in the forthcoming summit and AGM.